Physiological status monitoring system

Abstract

A physiological monitoring system includes a sensor subsystem worn by a person including at least a one sensor. A dock is associated with the sensor subsystem and includes a first connector component electrically connected to the sensor. A portable transmitting unit is received in the dock and includes a transmitter and a connector component removeably mateable with the dock connector component to route sensor data to the transmitter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A physiological monitoring system comprising:
 a garment; 
 a band integrated with the garment including respiration sensing conductors and one or more additional conductors; 
 a heart rate sensor integral with the garment and electrically connected to a said additional conductor; 
 a dock attached to the garment, the dock including:
 a receptacle comprising:
 a cover secured to the band, 
 a printed circuit board within the cover and including an accelerometer and a first connector component electrically connected to said respiration sensing conductors and said additional conductor; 
 
 
 an elongate housing attached to the garment and housing the receptacle in one end thereof; and 
 a portable transmitting unit configured to be removably slid in the elongate housing and including a second connector component mateable with the first connector component, the portable transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit respiration, heart rate, and accelerometer data to a base unit. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  further including padding behind the receptacle. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  further including padding over the housing. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  in which the housing has a concave shape. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  further including fasteners securing the receptacle inside the housing. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  in which the housing includes a flat tongue member and spaced side rails upstanding from opposing sides thereof receiving the portable transmitting unit therebetween. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6  in which the rails curve inwardly over the tongue member. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  in which the portable transmitting unit includes a latch mechanism releasably engaging the portable transmitting unit in the housing. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8  in which said latch mechanism includes spaced spring loaded fingers releasably received in indentations in the housing. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  in which the dock with the portable transmitting unit received therein is no larger than 4 inches wide, 8 inches long, and 3 inches high. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1  in which the second connector component includes pogo pins and the first connector component includes conductors for the pogo pins. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1  further including a seal member about the first connector component. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1  in which the cover is sewn and/or glued to the band. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1  in which the printed circuit board is potted in the cover. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1  in which the portable transmitting unit further includes a printed circuit board, a battery under the printed circuit board, and an antenna over the printed circuit board acting as a ground plane for the antenna.